Rollie Fingers’ baseball career spanned 17 seasons with the Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers. The player revolutionized the role of the relief pitcher, recorded 341 career saves, and won several accolades, including seven All-Star selections and three World Series championships. These achievements are products of iconic game moments that showcase the star’s exceptional abilities.
Game 2, 1972 World Series (Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds)
Rollie Fingers entered this game in the eighth inning, with the Oakland Athletics leading 2-0. He secured a save by striking out the final batter in the ninth inning, stranding a runner on first base and sealing a 2-1 victory for the A’s.
Game 7, 1973 World Series (Oakland Athletics vs. New York Mets)
In this game, Rollie Fingers displayed his prowess as a relief pitcher. Entering the game with the A’s holding a 5-2 lead, Fingers needed to preserve the advantage against the New York Mets. He helped to stop any hits and struck out two batters.
June 9, 1974 (Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals)
On June 9, 1974, Rollie Fingers demonstrated his dominance by retiring six consecutive batters, three of whom fell victim to his strikeout prowess. This season, he led the American League in appearances with 76 and supported the Athletics in winning their third consecutive World Series title.
Game 4, 1974 ALCS (Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles)
Fingers was instrumental in helping the Athletics win the 1974 American League Championship Series. In Game 4, he pitched two scoreless innings in relief while striking out four. His effort preserved the A’s 3-1 lead, propelling them to their third consecutive championship.
Game 1, 1974 World Series (Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Dodgers)
In the first game of the 1974 World Series, Fingers made an immediate impact by pitching three innings of scoreless relief to help the A’s secure a 3-2 victory. His performance was pivotal; he struck out three batters and allowed only four hits.
May 28, 1976 (Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox)
Held on May 28, 1976, this regular-season game against the Red Sox demonstrated Fingers’ prowess in a crucial save situation. After joining the game with a narrow 5-4 lead, he retired three straight batters, including two via strikeouts, to seal the win.
Game 2, 1978 ALCS (San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers)
Although his tenure with the Padres did not see the same team success as with the A’s, Fingers still had several standout moments. In this game, for instance, he pitched two scoreless innings in relief to hold off the Dodgers’ offense.
August 19, 1981 (Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox)
After joining the Milwaukee Brewers, Fingers continued to assert his dominance. He pitched two glorious innings and struck out four of the six CWS batters he faced. The season ended with Fingers winning the AL MVP and Cy Young Award.
Game 3, 1981 ALDS (Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Yankees)
During the pivotal Game 3 of the 1981 American League Division Series, Fingers entered the game in the seventh inning with the Brewers in the lead. He pitched three scoreless innings and allowed only one hit while striking out two batters.
September 13, 1981 (Milwaukee Brewers vs. Baltimore Orioles)
In a tight divisional race for the AL East title, Fingers retired all six batters he faced, including three strikeouts. That same year, he won the American League MVP and Cy Young Awards, becoming the first relief pitcher to achieve such honors in the AL.
Game 5, 1982 ALCS (Milwaukee Brewers vs. California Angels)
Rollie Fingers’ legacy as a closer reached new heights in the 1982 ALCS. Delivering a much-needed scoreless inning in relief, he helped the Brewers clinch their first-ever trip to the World Series. However, he was sidelined during the World Series due to injury.
July 31, 1982 (Milwaukee Brewers vs. Boston Red Sox)
On July 31, 1982, during a midseason clash between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Boston Red Sox, Fingers was summoned to protect a slim 6-5 lead. On joining the game, he delivered two flawless innings, striking out three Red Sox batters.
August 20, 1982 (Milwaukee Brewers vs. Baltimore Orioles)
The man again displayed excellence in this game against the Orioles. Facing a tough lineup, he entered the game with runners on base and the Brewers slightly in the lead. He quickly extinguished the rally by inducing a double play, followed by a strikeout to end the inning.
Game 4, 1982 World Series (Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
Although Fingers was unavailable for the World Series due to injury, his impact throughout the 1982 season was still fresh in fans’ minds. The Brewers felt his absence acutely during the late innings of Game 4, where they struggled to close out the Cardinals.
August 21, 1983 (Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Yankees)
In one of his final dominant performances, Fingers showed that he still had his signature control and precision. Against a powerful Yankees lineup, he pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three batters to preserve a narrow 4-3 lead.
Rollie Fingers’ Greatest Games Ever